LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SVT >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> Engine Controls - On-Vehicle Adjustments >> Valve Clearance >> 3.9L Engine (VIN A)
July 1: So it begins. Don't worry, this is not in the correct legal jurisdiction!

3.9L Engine (VIN A)

  1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Disconnect Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. Remove air cleaner outlet tube and air cleaner housing. Remove 2 bolts and position hydraulic cooling fan reservoir aside. Disconnect crankcase ventilation hoses. Disconnect fuel line and position aside. Disconnect evaporative emission canister purge valve hose.
  2. Remove Vapor Management Valve (VMV) cover. Disconnect vacuum hose and purge line. Remove 2 nuts retaining VMV and position aside. Remove 2 bolts retaining Engine Vacuum Regulator (EVR) and position aside. Remove 2 nuts retaining hose and wiring harness bracket to left side valve cover, remove bracket and position harness up and out of the way.
  3. Remove bolts retaining wiring harness bracket to right side strut tower and position aside from valve covers. Remove ignition coil covers. Inspect coil cover gasket and install NEW gasket as necessary. Disconnect ignition coil connectors. Raise engine wiring harness and disconnect fuel injector connectors. Disconnect wiring harness plastic snap retainers.
  4. Remove ignition coils. Remove fuel line bracket bolt from left shock tower. Remove 2 bolts retaining power steering pump reservoir and position aside. Remove nut and oil level indicator tube. Remove brake line bracket from left frame rail.
  5. Measure and record each valve clearance using a feeler gauge. See Fig 1 . Ensure clearance is within specification. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (3.9L)  table. If clearance is not within specification, go to next step.
    VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (3.9L) (1)

    Application In. (mm)
    Intake .007-.009 (0.18-0.22)
    Exhaust .009-.011 (0.23-0.27)
    (1) Clearance is checked with engine cold.
    6. NOTE: Shim thickness is stamped on back of shim in hundredths of a millimeter. A shim measuring 2.22 mm is marked "222" on shim.
  6. Remove valve covers, front timing cover, primary and secondary timing chains and camshafts to access shims and tappets. See appropriate article in ENGINES. Use the following formula to select proper shim thickness: Required shim thickness = (measured clearance + current shim thickness) minus most desirable clearance. Select proper shim, and mark for location during installation. Selective shims are available in sizes .086-.115" (2.180-2.915) in increments of .0006" (.015 mm).
  7. Install correct selective shim. Install camshafts and measure new valve clearances. Rotate crankshaft clockwise and repeat procedure for all valves as necessary. If any clearances are incorrect, repeat step  6 . To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. See appropriate article in ENGINES.
Fig 1: Checking Valve Clearance (Typical)
G00009344Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals